Aims. The modified Radiological Union Scale for Tibia (mRUST) fractures score was developed in order to assess progress to union and define a numerical assessment of fracture healing of metadiaphyseal fractures. This score has been shown to be valuable in predicting radiological union; however, there is no information on the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this index for various cut-off scores. The aim of this study is to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and cut-off points of the mRUST score for the diagnosis of metadiaphyseal fractures healing. Methods. A cohort of 146 distal femur fractures were retrospectively identified at our institution. After excluding AO/OTA type B fractures, nonunions, follow-up less than 12 weeks, and patients aged less than 16 years, 104 sets of radiographs were included for analysis. Anteroposterior and lateral femur radiographs at six weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and final follow-up were separately scored by three surgeons using the mRUST score. The sensitivity and specificity of mean mRUST score were calculated using clinical and further radiological findings as a gold standard for ultimate fracture healing. A receiver operating characteristic curve was also performed to determine the cut-off points at each time point. Results. The mean mRUST score of ten at 24 weeks revealed a 91.9% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 92.6% accuracy of predicting ultimate fracture healing. A cut-off point of 13 points revealed 41.9% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 46.9% accuracy at the same time point. Conclusion. The mRUST score of ten points at 24 weeks can be used as a viable screening method with the highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for healing of metadiaphyseal femur fractures. However, the cut-off point of 13 increases the specificity to 100%, but decreases sensitivity. Furthermore, the mRUST score should not be used at six weeks, as results show an inability to accurately predict eventual fracture healing at this time point. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):796–805

Introduction. Tip apex distance (TAD) is reported as a predictor for cut outs of lag screws in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures, and surgeons are adviced to strive for TAD within 20 mm. However the definition of neck axis and the limb position of lateral radiograph are not clearly described in the original literature. We propose the refined TAD by defining these factors. The objective of this study was to analyze the interobserver agreement of this refined TAD. Materials and Method. X rays of 130 cases of unstable trochanteric fractures were used for the analysis of the refined TAD. In the refined TAD, neck axis was defined as the line between the center of femoral head and midpoint of narrowest part of the femoral neck, and lateral radiograph was taken with hip flexion 90 degrees and abduction 45 degrees. The refined TAD was independently measured by 2 experienced (observer 1,2) and 2 inexperienced (observer 3,4) orthopaedic surgeons who were trained with the new method before the measurement. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC [2,4]) was calculated to assess the interobserver agreement. Result. The mean refined TADs were 18.2:18.4:18.2:18.2 for observer 1:2:3:4. There was a strong correlation among all four observers (ICC 0.998, (95% CI: 0.998, 0.999). Discussion. Regardless of the clinical experience of observers, the refined TAD is a reliable tool and can be used to develop new TAD recommendations for predicting failure of fixation

Plain radiographs show only two dimensions of a three-dimensional object. On anteroposterior and lateral radiographs an implant may appear to be safely within the head of the femur although surface penetration has occurred. We have attempted to identify this complication in the treatment of fractures of the femoral neck and have analysed the position of a screw or pin in the femoral head and neck on the basis of orthogonal frontal and lateral radiographs. A retrospective analysis of 60 cases of osteosynthesis of fractures of the femoral neck confirmed the risk of non-recognition of articular penetration or breaking of the cortex of the neck during surgery. Unrecognised screw penetration of the hip was observed in 8% and of the posterior part of the neck in 10%. The risk differs according to the type of fracture: it is greater in the coxa valga produced by Garden-I fractures of the femoral neck

Introduction. Medial column insufficiency in patients with painful acquired flatfoot can be difficult to appreciate. The reverse Coleman block test is used in this study to predict medial column instability. Methods. Patients who underwent a procedure for medial column insufficiency with use of the reverse Coleman block test pre-operatively were investigated. Weight bearing radiographs were used to determine the joints in the medial column contributing to the deformity and also to estimate the angle which the first ray must be depressed to re-establish hindfoot neutrality. The reverse Coleman block test corrects a mobile valgus heel to a neutral position by placing a block, of appropriate height, under the first metatarsal head. With the heel in neutral and the relative forefoot supination compensated the foot returns to a neutral anatomic position. Gender, age, complications and radiological outcomes were investigated. Results. Over the last three years 25 medial column procedures were performed for painful insufficiency on 17 females and five males by the senior author. Three patients underwent staged bilateral procedures. The average age was 62 years old. Three feet had been on operated on the medial column previously. The pre-operative weight bearing lateral radiographs showed instability in the medial column greater than 5° in 12 cases. With the reverse Coleman block test instability was seen in 25 cases and the deformity increased from an average of 7° (range 0° to 25°) to 14° (range 5° to 30°). Post-operative weight bearing radiographs, with fusion of the unstable joint, the average medial column alignment was 1° (range −10° to 10°). Three patients developed superficial infections requiring oral antibiotics for treatment. One patient had a non-union requiring revision surgery. Discussion. The reverse Coleman block test revealed instability in 13 out of 27 cases not seen with simple weight bearing lateral radiographs. The test also on average doubled the size of any deformity seen. This aided pre-operative planning to predict the scale of deformity correction required. Conclusion. The reverse Coleman block test is a useful test to determine medial column insufficiency and assist with pre-operative planning

Our aim was to assess the reproducibility and the reliability of the Weber classification system for fractures of the ankle based on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Five observers with varying clinical experience reviewed 50 sets of blinded radiographs. The same observers reviewed the same radiographs again after an interval of four weeks. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed based on the proportion of agreement and the values of the kappa coefficient. For inter-observer agreement, the mean kappa value was 0.61 (0.59 to 0.63) and the proportion of agreement was 78% (76% to 79%) and for intra-observer agreement the mean kappa value was 0.74 (0.39 to 0.86) with an 85% (60% to 93%) observed agreement. These results show that the Weber classification of fractures of the ankle based on two radiological views has substantial inter-observer reliability and intra-observer reproducibility

Aims

The aim of the present study was to assess the outcomes of the induced membrane technique (IMT) for the management of infected segmental bone defects, and to analyze predictive factors associated with unfavourable outcomes.

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Proximal femur fractures treatment can involve anterograde nailing with a single or double cephalic screw. An undesirable failure for this fixation is screw cut-out. In a single-screw nail, a tip-apex distance (TAD) greater than 25 mm has been associated with an increased risk of cut-out. The aim of the study was to examine the role of TAD as a risk factor in a cephalic double-screw nail.

Aims

Though most humeral shaft fractures heal nonoperatively, up to one-third may lead to nonunion with inferior outcomes. The Radiographic Union Score for HUmeral Fractures (RUSHU) was created to identify high-risk patients for nonunion. Our study evaluated the RUSHU’s prognostic performance at six and 12 weeks in discriminating nonunion within a significantly larger cohort than before.

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe services available to patients with periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPFF) in England and Wales, with focus on variation between centres and areas for care improvement.

Introduction. In oblique olecranon fracture, fracture line begins in the trochlear notch and proceeds distally to the dorsal cortex of the ulna. We have experienced a nonunion of reverse oblique fracture. Hypothesis. Reverse oblique olecranon fracture has instability. Materials & Methods. 130 patients with an olecranon fracture were retrospectively evaluated. Inclusion criteria are that fracture line begins at the base of the coronoid process, distal portion of the trochlear notch, and proceeds proximally to the dorsal cortex of the ulna on the lateral radiograph. Fractures with articular comminution were excluded. Results. Seven patients met the criteria. They were associated with local injuries: anterior translation of the proximal radius and ulna, fracture of the medial epicondyle or the lateral condyle of the humerus. One out of five patients treated with tension band wiring (TBW) was revised with screw fixation because of nonunion. Discussion. The associated injuries suggested the anterior and valgus instability. A nonunion case suggests a requirement of more secure fixation. However, these findings are common in distal olecranon fracture. Therefore, the instability in our series is due to the distal location of fracture on the trochlear notch rather than reverse obliquity. The reverse obliquity attributes to small proximal fragment. Conclusion. Reverse oblique olecranon fracture has instability because of its distal location. It should be distinguished from simple, stable fracture

This multicentre prospective clinical trial aimed to determine whether early administration of alendronate (ALN) delays fracture healing after surgical treatment of fractures of the distal radius. The study population comprised 80 patients (four men and 76 women) with a mean age of 70 years (52 to 86) with acute fragility fractures of the distal radius requiring open reduction and internal fixation with a volar locking plate and screws. Two groups of 40 patients each were randomly allocated either to receive once weekly oral ALN administration (35 mg) within a few days after surgery and continued for six months, or oral ALN administration delayed until four months after surgery. Postero-anterior and lateral radiographs of the affected wrist were taken monthly for six months after surgery. No differences between groups was observed with regard to gender (p = 1.0), age (p = 0.916), fracture classification (p = 0.274) or bone mineral density measured at the spine (p = 0.714). The radiographs were assessed by three independent assessors. There were no significant differences in the mean time to complete cortical bridging observed between the ALN group (3.5 months (. se. 0.16)) and the no-ALN group (3.1 months (. se. 0.15)) (p = 0.068). All the fractures healed in the both groups by the last follow-up. Improvement of the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score, grip strength, wrist range of movement, and tenderness over the fracture site did not differ between the groups over the six-month period. Based on our results, early administration of ALN after surgery for distal radius fracture did not appear to delay fracture healing times either radiologically or clinically. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1544–50

Introduction. Radiation exposure to the eye causes cataracts. Few orthopaedists wear leaded glasses when using fluoroscopy despite regulatory limits for maximum annual eye exposure. Methods. Using anthropomorphic patient and surgeon phantoms, radiation dose at the surgeon phantom's lens was measured with and without leaded glasses during fluroscopic acquisition of 16 common pelvic and hip views. The magnitude of lens dose reduction was calculated by dividing the unprotected dose by the dose measured behind leaded glasses. Results. The unprotected lens dose varied considerably among the different views, ranging from 0 μRem for a single obturator oblique pelvic view, to 257 μRem for a single lateral sacral view with the image intensifier opposite the surgeon. On average, use of leaded glassess reduced radiation to the surgeon phantom's eye by 90%. The greatest reduction was seen with a crosstable lateral radiograph of the hip (22 μRem unprotected lens dose vs. 1 μRem with leaded glasses). Conclusions. The use of leaded glasses could permit an orthopaedist to perform up to 10 times more cases before reaching the annual limit of 20 mSv (20 mSv = 2×10. 6. mRem). A large number of images are often required during a single operative procedure and varies greatly between cases. The number of cases which a surgeon can safely perform without leaded glasses is dependent on the number and type of images, and location of the surgeon with respect to the image intensifier

We reviewed our results and complications of using a pre-bent 1.6mm Kirschner wire (K-wire) for extra-articular metacarpal fractures. The surgical procedure was indicated for angulation at the fracture site in a true lateral radiograph of at least 30 degrees and/or in the presence of a rotatory deformity. A single K-wire is pre-bent in a lazy-S fashion with a sharp bend at approximately 5 millimetres and a longer smooth curve bent in the opposite direction. An initial entry point is made at the base of the metacarpal using a 2.5mm drill by hand. The K-wire is inserted blunt end first in an antegrade manner and the fracture reduced as the wire is passed across the fracture site. With the wire acting as three-point fixation, early mobilisation is commenced at the metacarpo-phalangeal joint in a Futuro hand splint. The wire is usually removed with pliers post-operatively at four weeks in the fracture clinic. We studied internal fixation of 18 little finger and 2 ring finger metacarpal fractures from November 2007 to August 2009. The average age of the cohort was 25 years with 3 women and 17 men. The predominant mechanism was a punch injury with 5 diaphyseal and 15 metacarpal neck fractures. The time to surgical intervention was a mean 13 days (range 4 to 28 days). All fractures proceeded to bony union. The wire was extracted at an average of 4.4 weeks (range three to six weeks). At an average follow up of 8 weeks, one fracture had to be revised for failed fixation and three superficial wound infections needed antibiotic treatment. With this simple and minimally invasive technique performed as day-case surgery, all patients were able to start mobilisation immediately. The general outcome was good hand function with few complications

Aims

The primary aim was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of routine operative fixation for all patients with humeral shaft fractures. The secondary aim was to estimate the health economic implications of using a Radiographic Union Score for HUmeral fractures (RUSHU) of < 8 to facilitate selective fixation for patients at risk of nonunion.

Introduction. Acetabular cup positioning has been linked to dislocation and increased bearing surface wear. A previous study found correlations between patient and surgical factors and acetabular component position. The purpose of this study was to determine if acetabular cup positioning improves when surgeons receive feedback on their performance. Methods. Post-op anteroposterior (AP) pelvis and cross-table lateral radiographs were previously obtained for 2061 patients who received a total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hip resurfacing from 2004–2008. The surgeries were performed by 7 surgeons. AP radiographs were measured using Hip Analysis Suite to calculate the cup inclination and version angles. Acceptable ranges were defined for abduction (30–45 °) and version (5–25 °). The same surgeons performed a THA or hip resurfacing on 385 patients from January 2009 through June 2010. Cup inclination and version angles for this set of surgeries were compared to surgeries from 2004–2008 to determine if cup inclination and version angles improved in response to previous acetabular cup positioning studies. Improvement in accuracy was assessed by the chi-square test. Results. Time 1, from 2004 through 2008, had 1952 qualifying hips with 1845 having both version and abduction, and Time 2, from 2009 through June 2010, had 385 qualifying hips, all of which had both version and abduction angles. For Time 1, 1192 (62%) acetabular cups were within the abduction range, 1422 (79%) were within the version range, and 908 (49%) were within the range for both. For Time 2, 276 (72%) acetabular cups were within the abduction range, 250 (65%) were within the version range, and 217 (56%) were within the ranges for both. Accuracy of abduction angle improved (p<0.01) while accuracy of version angle decreased (p<0.01). Accuracy of acetabular cup positioning being within range for both abduction angle and version angle improved significantly (p=0.01), by 7%. Conclusions. Increased awareness and feedback on the resulting abduction and version measurements from THA surgery over time improves the positioning of the acetabular component. A system where objective measurements are presented to the surgeon can significantly improve cup placement which could improve the clinical outcome of THR patients

Objective. Overviewing the literature, pain and redislocation after surgical treatment of patellofemoral instability (PFI) is described with up to 30 %, especially with techniques involving the extensor mechanism, the lateral retinaculum or the medial vastus. However, outcome data about revision surgery is missing. Therefore, it was the purpose of this prospective study to evaluate the clinical outcome after revision surgery with an isolated or a combined reco. of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) with a follow up of 12 months. The indication for additional procedures such as distal femoral osteotomies (DFO), trochleoplasty, reclosing of the lateral retinaculum (RLR) or lateralisation of the tuberosity (LT) were performed depending on the clinical and radiological pathomorphologies. Methods. In between 3/07–4/09, 42 pat. with a mean age of 24 years (13–46ys) were revised due to persistent PFI after mean 1.8 failed previous operations (lateral release, medial gather/VMO-distal., medial. of the tuberosity) in our department. An isolated reco. of the MPFL was performed in 15 cases, while a combination with a DFO due to massive femoral axis deformity (n=5), trochleoplasty due to a convex trochlear morphology (n=1) and/or LT (n=4) and/or RLR due to medial instability or lateral pain (n=22) was done in 27 cases. The clinical result was evaluated by the pre- and postop. IKDC/Kujala/Tegner-score and by a subjective questionnaire. Radiologically, the patellashift/-tilt/-height and level of the eventual degeneration were defined preop. and at the point of follow up with the help of straight lateral radiographs and by MRI. Significance level was set at p=.05, statistical calculation was done by the use of the t-test. Results. 87 % were very satisfied/satisfied with the treatment., None redislocation of the patella occurred during the follow up. We could evaluate a significant decrease of the pain during daily activities. The IKDC/Kujala/Tegner score have shown a significant increase overall. However, a significant difference concerning the scores could not be noticed in between the groups without and with additional procedures. Patellar shift, tilt, height decreased significantly to anatomical values. The level of preexisting degeneration showed no aggravation. Conclusion. Since it is known that PFI is a multifactorial problem, revision surgery should set about only after comprehensive examinations. Regarding our results, isolated or combined MPFL reco. seems to be a very effective treatment of recurrent patella dislocation and results in a significant increase of stability, functionality as well as in a reduction of pain. Additional pathomorphologies of the bony structures or a lateral release, which causes pain or an aggravation of instability, have to be addressed additionally to reach same results like with an isolated therapy. Level of Evidence. II

The equinovarus hind foot deformity is one of the most common deformities in children with spastic paralysis and is usually secondary to cerebral palsy. Split posterior tibialis tendon transfer is performed to balance the flexible spastic varus foot and is preferable to posterior tibialis lengthening, as the muscle does not loose its power and therefore the possibility of a valgus or calcaneovalgus deformity is diminished. The cohort of the study consisted of 50 children with cerebral palsy who underwent split posterior tibial lengthening to manage spastic equinovarus hind foot deformity. Our inclusion criteria were: ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy, age less than 6 years at the time of the operation, varus deformity of the hind foot during gait, flexible varus hind foot deformity, and the follow-up at least 4 years. We retrospectively evaluated 33 ambulant patients with flexible spastic varus hind foot deformity. Twenty-eight patients presented unilateral and 5 bilateral involvement. The mean age at the time of the operation was 10,8 years (6–17) and the mean follow-up was 10 years (4–14). Eighteen feet presented also equinus hind foot deformity, requiring concomitant Achilles cord lengthening. Clinical evaluation was based on the inspection of the patients while standing and walking, the range of motion of the foot and ankle, callus formation and the foot appearance using the clinical criteria of Kling et al. Anteroposterior and lateral weight-bearing radiographs of the talo-first metatarsal angle were measured. The position of the hind foot was evaluated according to the criteria of Chang et al for the surgical outcome. 20 feet were graded excellent, 14 were graded good and 4 were graded poor. Feet with recurrent equinovarus deformity or overcorrection into valgus or calcaneovalgus deformity were considered as poor results. There were 23 feet presenting concomitant cavus foot component that underwent supplementary operations performed at the same time with the index operation. None of the feet presented mild or severe valgus postoperatively, while 4 feet presented severe varus deformity and underwent calcaneocuboid fusion sixteen and eighteen months after the index operation. On the anteroposterior and lateral weight-bearing radiographs the feet with severe varus had a negative talo-first metatarsal angle (mean −26,8 ± 18,4), those with mild varus had a mean of −14,5 ± 12,2. In feet with the hind foot in neutral position the mean value was 5.0 ± 7.4. The results of the feet in patients with hemiplegic pattern were better and significantly different than the diplegic and quadriplegic ones (p = 0.005). The results in our cases were in general satisfactory as 34 out of 38 feet were graded excellent and good. The feet with poor results presented a residual varus deformity due to intraoperative technical errors

Introduction. Large wear rate reductions have been shown for crosslinked PE in simulators and short- to mid-term clinical wear studies. However, concerns persist about long-term in-vivo oxidation (especially with annealed PE), late accelerating wear and the possibly higher osteolytic potential of crosslinked PE particle debris. This is the first long-term study comparing conventional to crosslinked PE investigating whether the wear reduction is maintained in the long-term and if reduced osteolysis becomes evident. Materials & Methods. In a prospective study 48 primary THA patients (Stryker ABG-II, 28mm CoCr heads) were randomized to either receive a first generation crosslinked PE (Stryker Duration: 3MRad gamma irradiation in N2, annealed) or then conventional, now “historic” PE (3MRad gamma irradiation in air). Both groups were statistically non-different (p>0.1) regarding age (63.9 years), gender, BMI, stem and cup size, cup inclination, liner thickness or pre- and post-op HHS leaving the insert material as the only variable. Patients were followed-up annually using the Harris Hip score, AP and lateral radiographs and digital wear measurements using Roman V1.70 [1, 2]. Wear and radiographic signs of osteolysis were analysed at a mean follow-up of 12.9 years (12.0–13.3). Groups were compared using the t-test (means) or the Fisher Exact test (proportions). Results. Thirty-one patients (18 conventional, 13 Duration) were left for analysis (8 deaths, 9 lost to FU). At 13yrs the total linear head penetration was sign. lower with Duration (0.70 ±0.36mm, range: 0.3–1.2mm) than conventional PE (1.56 ±0.83, range: 0.4–3.3mm, p=0.015). Also the annual wear rate was sign. lower (p=0.005) for Duration (0.063 ±0.027mm/yr) than conventional PE (0.122 ±0.065mm/yr). This reduction (−48%) compared well to the original simulator prediction (−45%) and even increased with time (−30% at 5yrs, −38% at 8yrs, −42% at 10yrs). In the Duration group only 1 patient had a wear rate >0.1mm/yr (osteolysis threshold) compared to 10 in the Conventional group (p=0.007). Patients with radiographic signs of acetabular osteolysis (cysts) on the AP x-ray were less frequent in the Duration (4/13=31%) than in conventional group (13/18=72%, p=0.023). This difference became even more pronounced when also the lateral view was evaluated and the affected DeLee-Charnley zones were counted (7 vs 22, p=0.017). Only in the conventional group a revision was performed (cup for wear). Discussion & Conclusions. At long-term FU the absolute wear rate of Duration crosslinked PE did not increase but decrease and the wear relative reduction did not deteriorate but increased. The incidence of osteolysis was sign. less. Thus No clinical evidence of degradation or elevated osteolytic potential for this annealed first generation crosslinked PE debris was found

Aims

Postoperative malalignment of the femur is one of the main complications in distal femur fractures. Few papers have investigated the impact of intraoperative malalignment on postoperative function and bone healing outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate how intraoperative fracture malalignment affects postoperative bone healing and functional outcomes.

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The incidence of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) continues to increase. However, there are currently few long-term studies on the complications of AFFs and factors affecting them. Therefore, we attempted to investigate the outcomes, complications, and risk factors for complication through mid-term follow-up of more than three years.